Venus and Two Cupids
1520
oil
canvas
From the collection of Galleria Borghese
1520
oil
canvas
From the collection of Galleria Borghese
Venus and Two Cupids is a 1520 oil by Andrea del Brescianino, a Mannerism work, held at Galleria Borghese.
This painting depicts a nude woman standing in an arched alcove, with two small children behind her. The woman has short brown hair and is holding a shell in her right hand. She is facing forward, with her left leg slightly bent in front of her right leg. The two children are standing behind the woman, holding onto her legs. They appear to be trying to pull her back or hold onto her. The background of the painting is a plain gray wall, with the arched alcove framing the figures. The painting features a range of flesh tones, from the pale skin of the woman to the rosy cheeks of the children. The overall effect is one of softness and delicacy, with the gentle curves of the figures and the subtle play of light and shadow. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up Andrea del Brescianino.
Andrea del Brescianino or Dei Piccinelli was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period, active mainly in Siena. Together with his brother Raffaello they were known as the Brescianini of Siena.
See the richer artist page
